Scott County outlines multi‑phase Highway 17 expansion; Shakopee council hears details on access, trails and financing

Scott County on July 15 presented an updated plan for the County Highway 17 expansion project that would convert the corridor south of County Road 42 toward Highway 12 into a four‑lane divided facility with intersection improvements, roundabouts and a substantial regional trail component. County and consultant staff briefed the Shakopee City Council and answered questions from councilors, staff and residents.

Adam Jessen, Scott County assistant county engineer, said the county’s goal is “to design a safe, mobility corridor consistent with the corridor study and, achieving that principal arterial criteria.” He described a layout that retains opportunities for future grade separation at the Highway 42 and Highway 14 intersections while constructing roundabouts with bypass lanes now; the design builds northbound and southbound bypass movements in opposite directions for the two roundabouts and preserves the ability to add bridge structures later to fully grade separate the corridors.

County staff described several changes made after an earlier open house and follow‑up meetings. The Norton and Marsha neighborhood intersections were revised so both would function as three‑quarter intersections (allowing left‑in but restricting left‑out movements) to reduce out‑of‑direction travel and to improve emergency response access. The county also proposes constructing local road connections — notably a new roadway from the northern end of the Marsha/Wyand Acres neighborhood to connect with Blue Heron Trail and Jennifer Lane — to provide multiple entry and exit points for neighborhoods that currently rely on single access points.

Trail construction is a major element of the project: the county plans multiuse trails on both sides of portions of the corridor, a gap closure along County Road 42 and a pedestrian underpass at the Highway 17/Highway 14 crossing. County staff said most trails within the project area will be 10‑foot regional facilities and that the county’s Merriam Junction Trail phase work will connect to the new segments, improving regional connectivity.

On funding, Jessen said the project is a Scott County transportation sales‑tax project. The county will fund highway construction and right of way 100 percent through the sales tax; the county also intends to cover local road construction and right of way for the connections it proposes. For trails, the county proposed a 60/40 cost split (county/city) rather than the city’s typical 50/50 cost‑share policy; staff said the 60 percent county share reflects the trails’ regional character and the county’s sales‑tax funding.

Councilors and residents asked practical questions about turning movements (including whether vehicles pulling boats or emergency vehicles can execute the proposed U‑turns), property ownership and outreach to affected landowners. County staff said they have reached some property owners and will continue outreach; they plan additional neighborhood meetings for Marsha and other affected residents and said the plan will return to the council later this year for local approvals.

City staff present — including the city administrator and city engineer — told the council they appreciated the county’s revisions and said the plan was in a form the city could support. No formal council action was requested that night; county staff said final local approvals will come later after additional public engagement and right‑of‑way acquisition work.

Next steps: final design, right‑of‑way acquisition and public outreach through 2026, with construction programmed to begin in 2027 and continue into 2028.